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Seaton Delaval HallSeaton Delaval Hall is a country house in Northumberland England. It was designed by Sir John Vanbrugh in 1718 for Admiral George Delaval. Admiral Delaval had recently purchased the estate from an impoverished kinsman. The Dealaval family had owned the estate since the time of the Norman conquest. Admiral Delaval had made his fortune from bounty, during his time in the navy. He had also served as a British envoy during the reign of Queen Anne. The Admiral had originally wanted John Vanbrugh to modernize and enhance the existing mansion. Viewing the site Vanbrugh felt he could do nothing and advised complete demolition of all except the ancient chapel near to the mansion. The resulting new mansion was to be the last country house designed by Vanbrugh, it is regarded as his finest work. The style of architecture is known as English baroque, which Vanbrugh evolved from the more decorated, and architecturally lighter continental baroque popular in Europe. The design is of a centre block containing the state and principal rooms, and two flanking arcaded and pedimented wings containing the stables in the east wing, and secondary and service accommodation in the west wing. Since completion of the house in 1728, it has had an unfortunate history. Neither architect nor patron lived to see its completion; it then passed through a succession of heirs being lived in only intermittently. In 1822 the Centre Block was gutted by fire, and the house was deserted, it was partially restored in 1862-63. In spite of further restoration in 1959 the house was to remain unoccupied until the 1980s. When after a period of 160 years the present owner Edward Delaval Henry Astley, 22nd Baron Hastings moved into the West wing. While the exterior is still a perfect example of English baroque at its finest, the interiors of the state rooms remain un-restored from the fire. See Also For a detailed architectural appraisal of Seaton Delaval Hall see John Vanbrugh External links
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